HAL eyes first foreign sale of Tejas as Malaysian air force shortlists contenders

[Lincoln]

No competent Air Force would select Tejas when the jet hasn't been produced enmass, does not have a proper supply chain yet, does not have enough flying hours, or seen remotely enough combat.

It's out of the question really. I am surprised IAF is even trying to pitch a jet without complete practical trial and error.

 

[Windjammer]

By omitting the JF-17 from the original article, the OP reminds me of the Cow that was grazing in the Jungle, when suddenly a Tiger appears, in desperation, the Cow shuts it's eyes in the faint hope that the Tiger will not see her either.

 

[Water Car Engineer]

Looking for exports when the production line hasnt even stabilized is ridiculous. Once the IAF Mark1A bulk order is set and that production is smooth then sure.

 

[masterchief_mirza]

Why on earth did the op omit the jf-17 reference from the post? #unmakeinPakistan is more important than #makeinindia for these obsession droids.

 

[Khanate]

Tejas is a flying coffin, best piloted from the back of a truck.

 

[Yaseen1]

i think india has refused to import palm oil from Malaysia after support of Malaysia to Pakistan on kashmir so it is highly unlikely that this deal will occur

 

[Flight of falcon]

why the hell Would anyone buy Teja that their own airforce wants nothing to do with. Some planes are shoved down their throat and are mostly parked on the ground and rusting.

 

[Beast]

No evidence of that happening. Print.in has a history of lying about this stuff.

Don't get your hope up, Malaysia is likely to pick a western fighter over both the Tejas and the thunder.

Unlikely picking a western aircraft. Mahathir has mention western denied RMAF full usage of the aircraft against certain countries. That is why RMAF pick Russian aircraft but their after sales support is terrible which result in new combat aircraft needed.

 

[Tom M]

Forget buying. They haven't actually kick started the procurement process yet.

https://www.janes.com/article/92621/malaysia-to-formally-launch-lca-flit-procurement-shortly

 

[Adonis]

State-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) is eyeing the possibility of selling its Tejas fighter jet to the south-east Asian country, ThePrint has learnt.

The Malaysian Air Force has shortlisted the Indian jet as a contender for the contract of its 36 new Light Combat Aircraft. If the deal goes through, it will be HAL’s first foreign sale.

While Malaysia has shown interest in the Tejas in the past too, its air force is now likely to issue a request for proposal (RFP) for the new contract next year, defence sources told ThePrint.

The main contenders against the Tejas include South Korea’s T-50 Golden Eagle, Russian YAK-130 and the BAE Systems’ armed Hawk. The Swedish Gripen, which is in the race for India’s proposal to buy 114 medium multi-role combat aircraft under the Make in India initiative, is also in contention.

Sources said HAL will respond to the RFP as and when it’s issued to them. Asked what version of the Tejas they will be pitching for, the sources said the proposal will depend on the Malaysian Air Force’s requirements.

A Malaysian team had visited the HAL headquarters in September-end and interacted with officials on the Tejas project.


The diplomatic hurdle ::

HAL’s Tejas sale could get affected by the deteriorating diplomatic relations between India and Malaysia over the Kashmir issue.

It was reported last month that India, the world’s top palm oil consumer, was shunning purchases from Malaysia, the second largest producer, after Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad criticised the Modi government’s Kashmir policy, sparking the latest trade spat in the region.

In April this year, Malaysian defence minister Mohamad Sabu had said the country was negotiating with several countries to acquire military assets through barter trade.


Avionics and weaponry edge ::

What works in favour of HAL’s Tejas LCA is that it has better avionics and weapon system than other fighter jets in the fray for the Malaysian Air Force contract, the sources said.

Tejas can be integrated with both Russia and Western weapons and this would be hugely beneficial to Malaysia which otherwise uses both Sukhoi and F/A-18 Hornets, added the sources. Tejas’s use of the GE F404 engine which is also used by the F/A-18s is another positive factor.

In March, Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) chief General Datuk Seri Affendi Buang had said that the new LCA requirements would enable the air force to keep up with advanced technology and capability.


‘No impact on IAF delivery’ ::

HAL sources sought to allay the fears that any possible deal with a foreign country would impact the Tejas delivery schedule to the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The production of Tejas with Final Operational Clearance (FOC) will start this month. While the jet’s annual production rate currently is of eight aircraft per year, all arrangements have been done to scale it up to 16, said the sources.

“But we are waiting for the IAF to sign the contract for 83 Tejas Mark 1-A,” said a source who didn’t wish to be named.

The IAF is expected to place an order for 83 Mark 1A aircraft soon. This will be in addition to the 40 LCAs already ordered in two batches — 20 each in the Initial Operational Clearance configuration and the FOC configuration

https://theprint.in/defence/hal-eye...ysian-air-force-shortlists-contenders/322569/

Mahatir Mohammad took a joy ride on this plane on his last visit to India and had admired it.

But this one seems more of a diplomatic gig to soften the recent tension between the two countries....no harm in inviting...but they will select what is best for them.....

 

[FuturePAF]

Unlikely picking a western aircraft. Mahathir has mention western denied RMAF full usage of the aircraft against certain countries. That is why RMAF pick Russian aircraft but their after sales support is terrible which result in new combat aircraft needed.

Didn’t know this was the case, restrictions even against Malaysia.

If not a western Fighter, nor Russian, nor the Indian, that only leaves the JF-17.

Any idea what specific capabilities, Malaysia has stated are required to win the contract?

The Block III should at the very least have all the requested capabilities as options, to be best placed to win the deal.

 

[HAIDER]

Chances are Yak battle proven second Thunder....Teja is the last one.

 

[POTTER]

The OP edited the article to excluded JF-17, just to show what a SUPA DUPA POWA India is.
This is low, like really really low.
And as the article quotes all the fighters available in that price range, I don't really understand the point of this article in the first place. Just to puff up the Indian chest.

Here's the original Paragraph from the same article which includes JF-17 in that list.

The main contenders against the Tejas include China-Pakistan’s JF-17, South Korea’s T-50 Golden Eagle, Russian YAK-130 and the BAE Systems’ armed Hawk. The Swedish Gripen, which is in the race for India’s proposal to buy 114 medium multi-role combat aircraft under the Make in India initiative, is also in contention.
https://theprint.in/defence/hal-eye...ysian-air-force-shortlists-contenders/322569/

Typical ch**** Hindustani.

 

[Pakistani Fighter]

Chances are Yak battle proven second Thunder....Teja is the last one.

How is YAK Battle proven?

Pakistan should had installed AESA Radar, 3 axis FBW and a potent ECM on its Block II with 2 more hardpoints for BVR. This would had increased its chances for being selected by Malaysia and also may would had changed the scenario of 27 Feb

 

[HAIDER]

How is YAK Battle proven?

Pakistan should had installed AESA Radar, 3 axis FBW and a potent ECM on its Block II with 2 more hardpoints for BVR. This would had increased its chances for being selected by Malaysia and also may would had changed the scenario of 27 Feb

Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria. Plus, Ukraine.